Vernon Officials Not Keen On Cannabis Stores Near Schools

VERNON, CT — A proposed zoning regulation amendment that could allow retail cannabis establishments to set up shop within 500 feet of a school in certain areas did not set well with several high-ranking town officials.

Though they did not take action on the matter during a meeting Thursday, members of the Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission did extend a public hearing on the amendment to Nov. 18 to further study the parameters and other implications.

Retail recreational marijuana was approved at the state level in June. Connecticut officials left it up to the state's 169 towns to governing how it is dispensed. Based on the per capita rules set up by state officials, Vernon is allowed two stores.

A cannabis processing center would be allowed in any industrial zone in Vernon, according to the regulations. Retail, however, is a different story. Town Planner George McGregor said retail stores can be "permitted" in four types of districts — commercial and planned commercial (most of routes 30 and 83), plus residential commercial and the downtown retail district. A special permit would be required if the town sets up rules, he added. Not acting on the state's decree by imposing local regulations would allow cannabis stores to set up anywhere with site plan approval, he said.

Three prominent town officials — Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne, Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary and Youth Services Director Michelle Hill seemed against having even two in town, period.

But they cited reasons.

"Today's cannabis is not that of the 1960s and 1970s," Hill said, citing statistics that she said point to a more potent drug in terms of THC levels. "Plus, it is more colorful now with different shapes and sizes — gummies. It looks like food and is more attractive to youths."

William Hartley, who identified himself as an owner of a cannabis store in Massachusetts, pointed to regulations that limit sales to those 21 and older and testing that regulates cannabis "from seed to sale."

Champagne said after the hearing that Hill set the tone and learned from his days as a police officer that recreational pot use "is a health risk."

"And I have a problem with that," Champagne added, referring to retail stores in town.

Macary said it would contradict "drug free school zones."

Also at issue was exactly where the cannabis stores could go. Macary took umbrage with the very thought of having them within 500 feet of a school building.

"It would be the same as a student smoking it (or tobacco) in the girls or boys locker room," he said.

Macary continued, "It's our responsibility too have drug-free school zones."

Macary said state law prohibits "drug" sales within 1,500 feet of a school zone. So he would have to report any store within those parameters as a violation of the law. He also cited Vernon walking policy — a half-mile for elementary schools, and 1 mile for the middle and high schools. He said students would be exposed to a "drug" up-close every day with the 500 foot policy.

"That's 2,640 feet and 5,280 feet," he said. "When I first read the zoning amendment I thought it said 5,000 feet. Then I re-read it and saw 500 feet. That conflicts with federal, state and local policy. We want to protect our children."

PZC members asked McGregor about liquor stores. For the ones that are new and not grandfathered in their locations, they have to be 1,000 feet from elementary and middle schools and 2,000 feet from Rockville High School.

PZC members then decided to continue the hearing until Nov. 18 to study the legalities and perimeters further.